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This, I believe, is the penultimate entry in [a: Angus Donald|584064|Angus Donald|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s 'Outlaw' series of novels dealing with the legend of Robin Hood.

If I'm honest, I also have to say that I read the title as meaning 'an assassin belonging to a King' rather than what proves to be the actual meaning: a (failed) attempt to assassinate the King (who, at this stage, is John).

As before, this is presented as the elderly Alan a Dale (now in a monastery as he has been since the opening of [b: Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806], and by this stage dictating rather than writing himself) recalling his earlier life in the company of Robin and his men.

The main 'hook' of this particular entry in the series is the events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, with King John proving to be an unpopular and failing ruler, especially compared to his older brother Richard ('the Lionheart'), and with Robin instrumental in bringing about the famous document.
  
The Collected Works of Billy the Kid
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a unique hybrid of poetry and prose, mixed with both historical fact and fiction based on the true life story of the famous American outlaw William Bonney, who was better known as "Billy the Kid". You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/11/15/so-fascinating-it-should-be-outlawed/
  
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Kurt Vile recommended On the Corner by Miles Davis in Music (curated)

 
On the Corner by Miles Davis
On the Corner by Miles Davis
1972 | Rock
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This is referenced in my song 'I'm An Outlaw': "...an outlaw, burned from vinyl, dimed from cans, peaked to the dome". And that's some crazy, psychedelic, synth-y, weird funk. No offence to Miles, you know, unfortunately he's not with us, but fortunately he's not, because he's the weakest link on that record. At first he's awesome, and then some of his tone, it goes down south once in a while, but all the players, like John McLaughlin and the synth players, and if you listen to the record, especially in headphones, it's all - my theory is - going through modular synthesisers, all the percussion is going through envelope filters, but it's also panning non-stop. If you listen, it's unreal. If you crank it in headphones, it's full speed ahead!"

Source
  
King of the North (Fire Born #4)
King of the North (Fire Born #4)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm never really sure what to make of Angus Donald's 'Fire born' series.

Of which this is the fourth.

Personally, I think I've always preferred his Outlaw Chronicles, followed by the Holcroft Blood trilogy, with these Viking-era bringing up the rear.

Having said that, it is what it is.

In this particular entry, Bjarki and his sister Tor end up involved in the little-known (and semi-legendary) Battle of Bravellir, initially on opposite sides of the Shield Wall.

I have to say, it's a battle that I have never heard of before ...

Anyway, the result is an OK read, but (as previously stated, and for my money) the characters and history are just not as interesting as those in the Outlaw Chronicles or in the Holcroft Blood series.

I'll still probably read any future entries, though.
  
The Outlaw and his Wife (1918)
The Outlaw and his Wife (1918)
1918 | Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Interrupted by the arrival of the talkies, the oeuvre of Victor Sjöström remains one of the summits of silent cinema. Even if we no longer pay too close attention to The Wind, despite it having been regarded for so long as one of the masterpieces of film history; as also the lesser known The Phantom Carriage, despite it having been a foundational inspiration to Ingmar Bergman, who watched it ritually every year; and even if he is most often remembered for his role in Wild Strawberries; Victor Sjöström is the auteur of a visionary and profound body of work, that makes him equal to his great contemporaries Dreyer and Murnau. For my part, it is The Outlaw and His Wife, inspired by the true story of an 18th-century Icelandic outlaw played in the film by Sjöström himself, which has left the most indelible mark on me."

Source
  
Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)
Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)
Angus Donald | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding throught the Glenn

Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."

Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?

"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.

Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.

Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
  
Close to the Knives: A Memoir of Disintegration
Close to the Knives: A Memoir of Disintegration
David Wojnarowicz, Olivia Laing | 2017 | Art, Photography & Fashion
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Published just before he died of AIDS, Wojnarowicz’s memoir is a classic of outlaw literature and political fury. Wojnarowicz — who was a great artist as well as writer — wheels through his wickedly difficult childhood, the deaths of friends and lovers, great sex writing, thoughts about art, screeds against the likes of Jesse Helms, all the while facing down his own imminent demise. It’s sad, funny, angry and transporting, a kaleidoscope on fire."

Source
  
Blaze (2018)
Blaze (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Watched what is definitely one of my favorite movies of the year so far recently, unfortunately it was on a little screen on my flight back to Hawaii. Name of the movie is Blaze, written and directed by Ethan Hawke, and is based on the outlaw country singer and songwriter legend Blaze Foley. If you don't add this to your watch list then I'll have to have Deputy Dawg throw you in movie jail.
  
TO
The Outlaw Takes a Bride
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can an outlaw find love and happiness when his life is nothing but a lie?




Springtime in Colorado, 1885. Johnny Paynter is accused of a murder and flees towards his brother’s ranch in Texas. Although when he arrives, he finds his brother Mark dead! Folk in town think that Johnny is Mark, and Johnny doesn’t correct them. He begins to start a new life as Mark and things go rather well. Until he finds out that Mark has a mail order bride on her way to Texas. Deciding that there is nothing else to do, he takes Sally as his wife and continues life as Mark Paynter. With a relationship founded on lies, how can it survive?




The foundation of any relationship should be founded on truth and honesty. If it isn’t, there is much turmoil working through the mess. But there is always hope, the Lord can heal the hurt and His mercies are new every day. We can always begin again. I have enjoyed both books that I have read by Susan Page Davis now. The Outlaw Takes a Bride is a western romance, with really good Christian principles. She reminds us that we should strive to live an honest life, but even when we mess things up, the Lord is there to forgive and restore what has been broken. This book is action packed with bandits, touching and romantic, and an overall good read!




I received a free digital copy of The Outlaw Takes a Bride from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
  
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David McK (3238 KP) rated Morningstar in Books

May 31, 2021  
Morningstar
Morningstar
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The only Gemmell book I know of that was written in the first person, in which he returns to the same world as his earlier "Knights of Dark Renown" (the events of which are only mentioned in passing).

In this Robin Hood-a-like tale, he details how an outlaw (who cares for nothing and no-one save himself) becomes a hero of legend, with a bit of time-travel, sorcery and the undead all thrown into the mix!